May Favorites
My friend Rachel and I put together this collection of sweet romances written by friends from our flash fiction writing community, and we're giving it away free in our newsletters on June 10th! This was such a fun experience, and everyone's stories are so adorable. (You can subscribe to my writing newsletter on Substack if you want to receive the book in your email on Monday.)
The Critic's Daughter: A Memoir by Priscilla Gilman
This author was my professor in college, and I really enjoyed her previous book about her son, so I wanted to try this one as well. The writing is beautiful, and I enjoyed hearing the author narrate the audiobook.
To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo
I was on the launch team for this amazing Catholic historical fiction novel, and I am still thinking about it. What a wonderfully well-researched, beautifully-written novel. Highly recommended.
Because of You by Hannah Currie
I was also on the launch team for this YA novel about missionary work, and I loved this one too! All the details of travel to Thailand and interacting with orphaned children were so interesting, and I loved the main character.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez continues to amaze me with her excellent romance writing. I think this might be her best book yet.
Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy by Anne Lamott
I had some theological issues with this book, but the writing is beautiful, and I think the overall message about showing mercy to others is important.
Read-Aloud and Homeschool Books
- Swallowdale (Swallows and Amazons book 2) by Arthur Ransome (5 stars)
- Magic or Not? (Tales of Magic book 5) by Edward Eager (5 stars)
Sequels and Series Books
- Leave It To Beany (Beany Malone book 3) by Lenora Mattingly Weber (4 stars)
- Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder (Happily Ever Homicide book 1) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (4 stars)
- The Kiss Thief (Echo Ridge Romance Book 2) by Rachelle J. Christensen (3 stars)
- Fatal First Edition (Library Lover's Mystery book 14) by Jenn McKinlay (4 stars)
Stand-Alone Books
- Tartuffe by Moliere (4 stars)
- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (4 stars)
- The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Jonathan Haidt (4 stars)
- The Monarchs of Winghaven by Naila Moreira (4 stars)
- Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis (4 stars)
- How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson (3 stars)
Family Reading Lists
Audiobook in the Car
- The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
M. (girl, 10 years, 6 months)
- Roman People by Olivia Coolidge
C. (girl, 8 years, 8 months)
- A Violet for Bonaparte by Geoffrey Trease
- Andrew Jackson by Clara Ingram Judson
- The California Gold Rush by May Mcneer
E. (girl, 6 years, 7 months)
- Rip-Roaring Russell by Johanna Hurwitz
R. (boy, 4 years, 2 months)
- Where is Zot? by Sandra Carlton
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
- Flap Your Wings by P.D. Eastman
- Bears on Wheels by Stan Berenstain
- Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak
- from Tales of Oliver Pig by Jean van Leeuwen and Arnold Lobel: "Baking Day" and "A Bad Day"
- Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss
- Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
- Construction Site: Taking Flight! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford
- Construction Site: Road Crew, Coming Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford
- excerpt from Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? by Kate DiCamillo
A. (girl, 4 years, 4 months)
Read-alouds:- Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka
- Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever
- excerpt from Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? by Kate DiCamillo
My husband
- The Giant Rat of Sumatra: or Pirates Galore by Sid Fleischman
